Welfare assessment of the sheltered dogs using behavioral indicators
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52331/cvj.v28i2.52Keywords:
animal behaviorAbstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the welfare of sheltered dogs using behavioral indicators that indicate negative and positive emotional states (provoked and unprovoked behavior). The behavior of the selected animals was evaluated by direct observation of the indicators. The data collected was used for computing a life quality score (LQ). Forty-three behavioral indicators (23 negative indicators and 20 positive indicators) were identified and analyzed in 20 dogs housed for more than two years in the shelter. Six negative indicators (tail chasing, circling, escape attempt, chewing bars, coprophagy and lifting a front leg) were not identified in any of the 20 evaluated dogs. An average LQ score of 0.115 was obtained, with values between -0.35 and 0.4. The results showed that 55% of the assessed dogs had higher LQ scores than the mean value. Canine behavior can be assessed within a reasonable amount of time by recording the presence or absence of certain behavioral indicators. These recordings can then be processed to obtain a quality of life score for each animal.
References
Tennille, K.L., Slater, M.R.; Moberly, H.K; Budke, C.M. Welfare and quality of life assessments for shelter dogs: A scoping review, Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2021, Volume 244, 105490
Wells, D.L. A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris, Applied Animal Behavior Science 2004, 85, 307–317
Villa, P.D.; Barnard, S.; Di Fede, E.; Podaliri, M.; Candeloro, L.; Di Nardo, A.; Siracusa, C.; Serpell, J.A. Behavioural and physiological responses of shelter dogs to long-term confinement. Veter. Ital. 2013 49, 231–241
Hewison, L.F.; Wright, H.F.; Zulch, H.E.; Ellis, S.L.H. Short term consequences of preventing visitor access to kennels on noise and the behaviour and physiology of dogs housed in a rescue shelter, Physiology & Behavior 2014, Volume 133, 1-7
Barnard, S.; Pedernera, C.; Candeloro, L.; Ferri, N.; Velarde, A.; Villa, P.D. Development of a new welfare assessment protocol for practical application in long-term dog shelters. Vet Rec. 2016,178, 18
Berteselli, G.V.; Arena, L.; Candeloro, L.; Villa, P.D.; De Massis, F. Interobserver agreement and sensitivity to climatic con-ditions in sheltered dogs' welfare evaluation performed with welfare assessment protocol (Shelter Quality protocol). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2019, Volume 29, 45-52
Yeates, J.W.; Main, D.C.J. Assessment of positive welfare: A review. The Veterinary Journal 2008, Volume 175, Issue 3, 293-300
Righi, C.; Menchetti, L.; Orlandi, R.; Moscati, L.; Mancini, S.; Diverio, S. Welfare Assessment in Shelter Dogs by Using Phys-iological and Immunological Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2019, 11; 9(6):340
Beerda, B.; Schildert, M.B.H.; van Hooff, J.A.R.A.M.; de Vries, H.W.; Moll, J.A. Behavioural and Hormonal Indicators of en-during environmental stress in dogs. Anim. Welf. 2000, 9, 49–62
Taylor, K.D.; Mills, D.S. The effect of the kennel environment on canine welfare: A critical review of experimental stud-ies. Anim. Welf. 2007,16, 435–447
Titulaer, M.; Blackwell, E.J.; Mendl, M.; Casey, R.A. Cross sectional study comparing behavioural, cognitive and physiological indicators of welfare between short and long term kenneled domestic dogs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2013, 147, 149–158
Madden, K.S.; Felten, D.L. Experimental basis for neural-immune interactions. Physiol. Rev. 1995, 75, 77–106
Protopopova, A. Effects of sheltering on physiology, immune function, behavior, and the welfare of dogs. Physiol. Behav. 2016, 159, 95–103
Kiddie, J.L.; Collins, L.M. Development and validation of a quality of life assessment tool for use in kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2014,158, 457–468
Kiddie, J.L.; Collins, L.M. Identifying environmental and management factors that may be associated with the quality of life of kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2015, 167, 43–55
Arena, L.; Wemelsfelder, F.; Messori, S.; Ferri, N.; Barnard, S. Application of Free Choice Profiling to assess the emotional state of dogs housed in shelter environments. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2017, Volume 195, Pages 72-79
Arena, L.; Berteselli, G.; Lombardo, F.; Candeloro, L.; Villa, P.; Massis, F. Application of a welfare assessment tool (Shelter Quality Protocol) in 64 Italian long-term dogs’ shelters: Welfare hazard analysis. Animal Welfare 2019, 28(3), 353-363
Menchetti, L.; Righi, C.; Guelfi, G.; Enas, C.; Moscati, L.; Mancini, S.; Diverio, S. Multi-Operator Qualitative Behavioural As-sessment for dogs entering the shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2019, Volume 213, 107-116
Walker, J.K.; Dale, A.R.; D’Eath, R.B.; Wemelsfelder, F. Qualitative Behaviour Assessment of dogs in the shelter and home environment and relationship with quantitative behaviour assessment and physiological responses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2016, Volume 184, 97-108
Popescu, S.; Borda, C.; El Mahdy, C.; Lazar, E.A.; Blaga Petrean, A.; Câmpean, I.D.; Spinu, M. The Effect of a Social Enrichment Programme on the Behaviour of Dogs from a Private Shelter, Bulletin UASVM Veterinary Medicine 2018, 75(2), 222-230
Beerda, B.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Van Hooff, J.A.R.A.M.; Vries, H.W.; Mol, J.A. Chronic stress in dogs subjected to social and spatial restriction: behavioral responses. Physiology & Behavior 1999, 66, 233–242
Stephen, J.M.; Ledger, R.A. An audit of behavioral indicators of poor welfare in kenneled dogs in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2005, 8, 79–95
Hecht, J.; Horowitz, A. Introduction to dog behavior. In: Animal behavior for shelter veterinarians and staff. John Wiley & Sons, Ames, 2015 pp. 5-24
Barrera, G.; Jakovcevic, A.; Bentosela, M. Calidad de vida de perros alojados en refugios: intervenciones para mejorar su bienestar. Suma Psicológica 2008, 15, 337-354
De Palma, C.; Viggiano, E.; Barillari, E.; Palme, R.; Dufour, A.B.; Fantini, C.; Natoli, E. Evaluating the temperament in shelter dogs. Behavior 2005, 142, 1307–1328
Hennessy, M.B.; Williams, M.; Mellott, C.; Douglas, C. Plasma cortisol levels of dogs at a county animal shelter, Physiology & Behaviour 1997, 62, 485-490
Tuber, D.; Miller, D.; Caris, K.; Halter, R.; Linden, F.; Hennessy, M. Dogs in animal shelters: problems, suggestions and needed expertise. Psychological Science 1999, 10, 379-386
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Anamaria Luciana Blaga Petrean, Silvana Popescu, Liviu Bogdan, Ioana-Diana Campean
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
